Tuesday, 23 July 2013

A brutal stage of 221 kilometers at the end of the Giro, Marmolada ridden at huge speed as penultimate climb of the stage and a tough as nails chasing group comprising Tonkov, Ugrumov, Gotti and Olano. None of these things could slow down il bresciano Enrico Zaina in his quest of winning on the Pordoi and getting on the final podium in Milano. As a bonus, the great rider of Carrera would set the fastest ever ascent of Passo Pordoi.

Right after the bend 21, Pantani attacked. Laurent Madouas tried in vain to follow his wheel. One by one, he will go past every breakaway rider who started the climb earlier. Ivan Gotti had the honour to be the last rider who saw Marco Pantani flying past him that day. "Only" ten kilometers left until the finish line. Ten kilometers of agony ridden at huge speed by Marco. After a last corner taken with difficulties, the legendary climber will set a record that still stands today.

Important mentions:
In 1999 and 2004, Mont Ventoux was climbed in a 21,5 km individual time trial.The top 50 doesn't include time ascents from 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2005 editions of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré because of the lack of the data.

Important mentions:
In 1958, 1999 and 2004, Mont Ventoux was climbed in a 21,5 km individual time trial.The top 50 doesn't include time ascents from 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2005 editions of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré because of the lack of the data.

Five years later since the old record was set by Jonathan Vaughters, a new chance of beating it came in the 4th stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, a 21.5 km individual time trial up the feared Géant de Provence. The expected rivals of Lance Armstrong for the next month arrived, more than ever, in excellent shape, going full throttle all the race. So it wasn't a surprise when Tyler Hamilton broke by 34 seconds Vaughters's record. This record stood only for around 2 minutes, the great Basque climber, Iban Mayo managing to deliver a fabulous performance: 55:51!

Thursday, 4 July 2013

In another scorching hot day of the 2003 Tour de France, it was Moreau who started the hostilities on the final climb. Moments later, Mayo attacks. And after him, that summer's sensation, Vino! Moreau couldn't hold for long the pace Vino was pushing. The Kazakh was so strong that he didn't ask for a single pull from Mayo all the way to the top. No one, before or after, rode the east side of the Col de Peyresourde as fast as Vino and Mayo.